//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eight: Friction  
// Story: Equestria; UNDEAD 
// by runningtoastgirl77 
//------------------------------//

	When I woke up the next morning I felt a fuzzy feeling creeping over me; feelings of disorientation and confusion. Then I realized I was being snuggled into somepony sleeping in front of me. 

They felt so soft against my face, their mane draped over me. They smelt nice, like faint flowers with a hint of caramel. It nearly re-intoxicated me back into a lulling sleep. Then I realized that the fur and and smell belonged to somepony, who's dainty long thin forelegs were wrapped over my shoulders. Only one pony it could be.

Tea Rose.

As I was jumping unconsciously back out of her grasp, her eyes fluttering open. "Oopsies!" she said, "I thought you were a pillow!

I blushed furiously. "W-what am I doing here?!"

"Oh yeah... you got pretty drunk last night and forgot where you were staying, so I had you stay with me for the night. I would have just had you take the bed while I slept on the couch but..." her face began to get a pink flush. "You were very persistent that you didn't want to sleep alone."

As I wondered what other propositions I had made last night in drunken desperation, Rose got up and trotted over to a mirror with a yawn, sitting down and brushing out her mane as if it was routine. "Tea Rose..." I said.

"Hmm?"

"What's your special talent?"

Tea Rose paused. "Well, my cutiemark is a Rose in the shape of a teacup..."

"Yeah, but I mean what does it mean, how did you get it?"

She looked down. "To be honest... I don't remember."

"You don't remember? Getting your cutiemark is a pretty memorable event in your foalhood..."

Her voice hallowed. "I don't remember a lot of my foalhood."

I decided not to pry any further into the matter, and instead proceed with something else I had been pondering. "How long have you been visiting here?"

"N-not long!" she jumped.

"Rose..."

"Okay... a  long while. Satisfied?"

I was confused. "How?"

"I've been working for Miss. Cinnamon."

"Who's Miss. Cinnamon?"

She glanced away. "If you really want to know... she's...", she paused, "O-on second thought, you should head home. Somepony must be worried about you... right?"

"Worried?" Then it hit me. "Shit!"

I put my jacket on and found Zian's purse. Rose sat and watched me leave. I paused in the doorway and glanced over my shoulder to her. "Hey, um... if you need me I'm staying at room 19 in block B for the next couple days... if you need me."

She smiled. "Thanks, Autumn."

I walked out of the bar and strolled down the streets of Stone Whooves and was greeted by the sun's rays. All signs pointed to it being a good day.

All signs except my intuition.